Cooler weather is the perfect opportunity to start bundling yourself up in cosy knitwear and this oversized cowl is a great way to stay warm. Using bulky weight yarn, this cowl uses a simple stranding technique to create an interesting smocked texture that is easy to work.

Sizes

Finished Circumference: 32” [81 cm]

Finished Length: 19” [48 cm]

Yarn

Ístex Bulky Lopi (100% Wool; 66 yd [60 m]/100 g): #5 Black Heather 1 skein, #51 White 1 skein, #54 Light Ash Heather 1 skein, #56 Ash Heather 1 skein, #58 Dark Grey Heather 1 skein

Colors: The cowl as written uses 5 colors to create a gradient effect, as follows:

MC       #5 Black

CC1      #58 Dark Grey Heather

CC2      #56 Ash Heather

CC3      #54 Light Ash Heather

CC4      #51 White

Needles

US size 13 [9 mm]: 24” [61 cm] or 32” [80 cm] circular needle.

Notions

Stitch marker; large tapestry needle.

Gauge

14 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Smocked Stitch pattern after wet blocking

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

smock1 – Stranded smocked stitch: Slip 1 st knit wise to right needle, transfer back to left needle. Using right needle pick up horizontal strand created by the yarn in front of sl sts 3 rnds below and place in front of stitch on left needle; k first st and strand together through the back loop.

Pattern Notes

This cowl is worked from the bottom up in the round.

Size can be adjusted (please note that alterations to the pattern may require additional yarn):

• Adjusting the circumference: pattern is worked over an 8 st repeat; cast on stitches in multiples of 8 to obtain the preferred circumference.
• Adjusting the length: work required number of rows, finishing with the instructions for rounds 90-94.

Please note that the start of round marker is moved during the pattern; the new position marks the new start of round.

Cowl Instructions

Using MC, CO 110 sts. Join to knit in the round making sure to not twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd.

Beg with a purl rnd, work 4 rnds in garter st in the round (purl 1 rnd, knit 1 rnd).

Rnd 1: *K1, sl7 plwise wyif, bring yarn to back; rep from * to end.

Rnds 2-4: K to end.

 

Rnd 5: Rm, k4, pm, *smock1, sl7 pwise wyif, bring yarn to back; rep from * to end.

Rnd 6: Join CC1, rm, transfer 4 sts to right needle, pm, *k1, sl7 pwise wyif, bring yarn to back; rep from * to end.

Rnds 7-9: Using MC, k to end.

 

Rnd 10: Using MC, rep Rnd 5.

Rnd 11: Using CC1, rm, transfer 4 sts to right needle, pm, *smock1, sl7 pwise wyif, bring yarn to back; rep form * to end.

Rnds 12-14: Using MC, k to end.

 

Rnds 15-24: Rep Rnds 10-14 twice more.

Rnds 25-26: Rep Rnds 10-11. Break MC.

Rnds 27-29: Using CC1, k to end.

 

Rnd 30: Using CC1, rep Rnd 5.

Rnd 31: Join CC2, rm, rep Rnd 11

Rnds 32-34: Using CC1, k to end.

 

Rnds 35-44: Using CC1 and CC2, rep Rnds 30-34 twice more.

Rnds 45-46: Using CC1 and CC2, rep Rnds 30-31. Break CC1.

Rnds 47-49: Using CC2, k to end.

 

Rnd 50: Using CC2, rep Rnd 5.

Rnd 51: Join CC3, rep Rnd 11.

Rnds 52-54: Using CC2, k to end.

 

Rnds 55-64: Using CC2 and CC3, rep Rnds 47-51 twice more.

Rnds 65-66: Using CC2 and CC3, rep Rnds 47-48. Break CC2.

Rnds 67-69: Using CC3, k to end.

 

Rnd 70: Using CC3, rep Rnd 5.

Rnd 71: Join CC4, rep Rnd 11.

Rnds 72-74: Using CC3, k to end.

 

Rnds 75-84: Using CC3 and CC4, rep Rnds 64-68 twice more.

Rnds 85-86: Using CC3 and CC4, rep Rnds 64-65. Break CC3.

Rnds 87-89: Using CC4, k to end.

 

Rnd 90: Using CC4, rm, k4, pm, *sm1, k7; rep from * to end.

Rnd 91: K to end.

 

Beg with a purl rnd, work 4 rnds in garter st in the round.

BO kwise on next round.

Finishing

Weave in ends and block to measurements.